Cheima Moufdil
The main event of UFC Fight Night 243, held at Accor Arena in Paris, delivered an intense and bloody battle as Renato Moicano (20-5-1 MMA, 12-5 UFC) earned a TKO victory over hometown favorite Benoit Saint Denis (13-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) after the cageside doctor deemed Saint Denis unable to continue after two brutal rounds.
Right from the start, Moicano showcased his grappling prowess. Just 23 seconds into the opening round, he secured a takedown on Saint Denis, setting the stage for a dominant performance. Within a minute, Moicano had taken Saint Denis’ back, locking in a body triangle and threatening submissions. From that position, Moicano transitioned to mount and unleashed devastating elbows, splitting open Saint Denis' face in multiple places. The Frenchman showed incredible heart, doing just enough to avoid an early stoppage, but the damage was clearly visible.
Despite Saint Denis' resilience, the second round saw more of the same. Both fighters slowed down, but Moicano remained in control, exploiting the growing injuries on Saint Denis' face. By the end of the round, the swelling on Saint Denis’ face had worsened significantly.
Heading into what would have been the third round, the cageside doctor stepped in for an evaluation. Despite the home crowd urging for the fight to continue, the doctor made the call—Saint Denis was in no condition to continue. Referee Marc Goddard officially waved off the fight, awarding Moicano the TKO victory.
For Renato Moicano, this victory marked his fourth consecutive win and his sixth in seven outings, further solidifying his position in the lightweight division. Known for his post-fight calls for "big checks," Moicano didn't shy away from potential future opponents, calling out Paddy Pimblett and Dan Hooker in his post-fight interview.
Unfortunately for Saint Denis, this loss extended his losing streak to two. His previous fight, a wild brawl against Dustin Poirier at UFC 299 in March, also ended in defeat via knockout. Despite the setbacks, Saint Denis’ toughness and heart were on full display, and he remains a fan favorite in his native France.
As for Moicano, his sights are now set on bigger challenges, and after another impressive performance, he’s likely to get a marquee matchup in his next bout.